Commanders could draft Tyleik Williams
The Washington Commanders are going to have an extra injection of funds if Jonathan Allen leaves at some stage during the offseason. However, general manager Adam Peters has already stated he will be prudent regarding big splashes.
This isn't the best free-agent crop. Peters wants to build through the draft and supplement any remaining needs in free agency. Either the Commanders will go with a stopgap veteran or two, or they'll identify another talented prospect from the college ranks to go alongside Daron Payne and Johnny Newton.
Tyleik Williams wouldn't be a bad option by any stretch of the imagination. The Ohio State prospect is a dominant run defender, clogging up space and absorbing double teams effortlessly. He's got great instincts and enough athleticism for a man his size to get himself to the contact point quickly.
Williams' pass-rushing repertoire is developing. It's nowhere near the finished article, but the progress was encouraging during his final campaign with the Buckeyes en route to the college football national championship.
Conditioning can become an issue, so getting Williams to optimum fitness levels is desirable considering his physical things are in the pros. He's expected to go anywhere from the mid-to-late first round or early on day two. It'll be a waiting game for the Commanders, but he should be on the shortlist.
Commanders could draft Jordan Phillips
This is the unknown quantity of the group. But the upside regarding Jordan Phillips is absolutely off the charts if he reaches his ceiling.
Phillips has a rare blend of explosive force and athleticism. He's not the tallest or the heaviest. Even so, the Maryland prospect has every other athletic intangible that teams look for in their defensive linemen.
Whether he'd be best suited to a nose tackle in a 3-4 or defensive tackle in a 4-3 remains to be seen. That's a job for Dan Quinn and Adam Peters to figure out, but having this sort of athlete on the defensive line rotation adds urgency and versatility to Washington's options.
One of the biggest things that stands out about Phillips is his power at the point of attack. He arrives there violently, often knocking bigger offensive linemen sideways in pursuit of causing havoc in the backfield. There's work to do from a technical standpoint, so expecting miracles right away is unrealistic.
It's also worth remembering that Phillips is just 20 years old with two seasons of starting experience. He's only just scratching the surface, and there would be no better place for him to grow than under the guidance of Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.